PROCEEDINGS 

OF    TlIF, 

TWESTY-EICIHTH  AlUAl  MEETISfi 


OF    THE 


CTJ^lSrXJ^IE^Y  14,  1880. 

AVITH 

THE   CHARTER,  LISTS   OF   THE   MEMBERS, 

AND 

AN  ADDRESS  TO  THE  MEMBERS. 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C: 
R.  O.  POLKINHORN,  PRINTER. 

1880. 


PROCEEDINGS 


TWENTY-EIGHTH   ANNUAL  MEETING- 


UNITED  STATES  AGRICULTURAL  SUCIETY. 


The  United  States  Agricultural  Society  held  its  Tvventj^-eightli 
Annual  Meeting  at  the  office  of  its  Secretary,  1319  F  street, 
Washington,  D.  C,  on  the  14th  of  January,  1880. 

Ben:  Perley  Poore,  Secretary  of  the  Society,  called  the  meeting 
to  order  at  9  o'clock,  a.  m.,  and  in  the  absence  of  the  President,  in- 
vited Vice  President  Randolph,  of  Texas,  the  senior  Vice  President 
present,  to  take  the  chair. 

The  minutes  of  the  Twenty-seventh  Annual  Meeting  were  read 
and  approved. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Lane,  of  Indiana,  seconded  Dy  Mr.  Hopkins,  of 
West  Virginia,  the  Society^ proceeded  to  the  anmial  election  of  its 
officers,  and  the  Chair  appointed  Messrs.  Lane,  Hopkins,  and  French 
of  New  Hampshire,  a  committee  to  receive,  sort  and  count  the  votes. 

Mr.  Poore,  of  Massachusetts,  stated  that  the  Hon.  Fred.  Smyth, 
who  had  adhered  to  the  Society  in  its  adversity  and  its  prosperity, 
declined  a  re-election  as  President. 

The  committee  appointed  to  receive,  sort  and  count  the  votes  for 
ofl&cers  of  the  Societ}^  for  1880-81,  reported  that  the  following  list 
had  been  elected : 


PRESIDENT, 

JOHN^MERRYMAN,  of  Maryland. 

VICE-PRESIDENTS  : 

Alabama T.  B.  Tichner. 

California John  Bidwell. 

Colorado Roger  W.  Woodbury. 

Connecticut E.'H.  Hyde. 

Dacota John  Pattee. 

Delaware Henry  M.  Ridgeley. 

District  of  Columbia W.  W.  CORCORAN. 

Florida George  F.  Drew. 

Georgia T.  W.  Avery. 

Illinois J.  D.  Gillett. 

Indiana Claude  Matthews. 

Iowa John  Scott. 

Kansas T.  C.  Henry. 

Kentucky C.  M.  Clay. 

Lonisiana J.  Floyd  King. 

Maine J.  R.  Bardwell. 

Maryland Ezra  Wi^tman. 

Massachusetts Wm.  Sutten. 

Michigan H.  G.  Wells. 

Minnesota C.  W.  Thompson. 

Mississippi James  L.  Alcorn. 

Missouri G.  C.  Swallow. 

Nebraska D.  H.  Wheeler. 

Nevada John  P.  Jones. 

New  Hampshire Moses  Humphrey. 

New  Jersey George  H.  Cook. 

New  Mexico W.  F.  M.  Arny. 

North  Carolina L.  L.  Polk. 

Ohio J.  C.  Stevens. 

Orego7i S.  G.  Reed. 

Pennsylvania -.  .  .  .David  Taggart. 

Rhode  Island Elisha  Dyer. 

Sotith  Carolina D.  Wyatt  Aiken. 

Tennessee J.  B.  Killebrew. 

Texas AsHABEL  Smith. 

Utah George  Q.  Cannon. 

Vermont J.  Gregory  Smith. 

Virginia Gilbert  S.  Weem. 

Washington Thomas  H.  Brknts. 

Wisconsin Chester  Hazen. 


3 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE 


Fred.  Smyth,  of  New  Tlampsliire,  Chairman, 
A.  S.  TowNSHENU,  of  Oliio  ;  Eobert  Beverly,  of  Virginia; 

William  S.  King,  of  Minnesota  ;        N.  M.  Curtis,  of  New  York  ; 
A.  L.  Kennedy,  of  Pennsylvania  ;      A.  M.  B'ulford,  of  Maryland. 

Ex  Officio  Members. 
John  Merryman;  of  Maryland  ;  Ben:  Perley  Poore,  of  Mass. 

secretary, 

BEN:  PERLEY  POORE,  of  Massackmetts, 
(Office;   1819  F  Street,  Washington.) 

TREASURER, 

WILLIAM  M.  FRENCH,  of  New  Ilainpshire. 
(Office:  13iy  F  Street,  Washington.) 


On  motion  of  Mr.  Hopkins,  of  Pennsylvania,  seconded  by  Mr. 

Powers,  of  Ohio,  it  was — 

Resolved,  That  the  Presideut,  Secretary,  and  Executive  Committee  talie  such 
measures  as  they  may  deem  expedient  to  revive  tlie  operations  of  the'  United 
States  Agricultural  S(K;iety,  which  were  interrupted  by  the  civil  war  in  18G1,  and 
especially  to  invite  the  co-operation  of  State,  county,  and  local  organizations  for 
the  advancement  of  agriculture. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  PooRE,  of  Massachusetts,  seconded  by  Mr.  HlL- 

DKETH,  of  Tennessee,  it  was — 

Residvcd.  unanimously,  That  the  congratulations  of  the  United  States  Agri- 
cultural Society  be  tendered  to  its  honored  founder,  Marshall  P.  Wilder,  of  Massa- 
chusetts,  with  the  expression  of  the  gratification  of  those  of  its  members  assembled 
at  its  twentj^-eighth  annual  meeting,  that  his  valuable  life  has  been  spared,  while 
so  many  of  the  older  members  have  been  removed  from  the  field  of  their  labors 
by  the  grim  reaper.  Death. 

After  some  informal  conversation  as  to  the  best  way  for  resusci- 
tating the  active  operations  of  the  Society, 

On  m.otion  of  Mr.  Hayes,  of  California,  the  meeting  was  ad- 
. j'ourned  sine  die. 


THE  CHARTER 

OF  THE 

UNITED  STATES  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY, 

Granted  by  Act  of  Congress  in  1860. 


Be  it. enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  tlie  United  States  of 
America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  William  W.  Corcoran,  Benjamin  B.  French, 
Benjamin  Ogle  Tayloe,  Ben.  Perley  Poore,  and  John  A.  Smith,  their  associates 
and  successors,  be,  and  thej'  lierebj^  are,  made,  declared,  and  constituted  a  cor- 
poration and  body  politic  within  and  for  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  law  and  in 
fact,  to  have  continuance  forever,  by  the  name  and  style  of  "The  United  States 
Agricultural  Society  ;  "  and  by  such  corporate  name,  style,  and  title  shall  be  here- 
after forever  able  and  capable,  in  law  and  equity,  to  sue  and  be  sued,  plead  and 
be  impleaded,  answer  and  be  answered  unto,  defend  and  be  defended,  in  any 
court  or  courts,  or  other  places,  and  before  any  judge  or  judges,  justice  or  justices, 
or  other  persons  whatsoever,  within  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  all  and  every 
manner  of  suits,  actions,  complaints,  pleas,  causes,  matters,  and  demands  of 
whatever  kind  or  nature  they  may  be,  in  as  full  and  effectual  a  manner  as  any 
other  person  or  persons,  bodies  politic  or  coi'porate,  may  or  can  do. 

Sec.  3.  A)id  be  it  further  enacted,  Tliat  all  and  singular  the  goods,  chattels, 
and  other  effects  of  wliat  kind  or  nature  soever,  heretofore  given,  granted,  or  de- 
vised  to  the  said  society,  or  to  any  person  or  persons  for  the  use  tliereof,  or  that 
may  have  been  purchased  for  or  on  account  of  the  same,  lie,  and  the  said  goods, 
chattels,  and  other  eftects  are  hereby  vested  in  and  confirmed  to  said  corporation  j 
and  the  said  corporation  may  take  and  receive  any  sum  or  sums  of  money,  or  any 
goods,  chattels,  or  other  effects  of  what  kind  and  nature  soever,  which  shall  or 
may  hereafter  be  given,  granted,  or  bequeathed  unto  them  by  any  person  or  per- 
sons, bodies  corporate  or  politic,  capable  of  making  such  gift,  grant,  or  bequest; 
Provided,  That  the  goods,  chattels,  and  other  effects  vested  in  and  confirmed  to 
said  corporation,  and  the  moneys,  goods,  chattels,  and  other  eftects  which  by  this 
act  the  said  corporation  is  authorized  hereafter  to  receive,  shall  not  in  the  whole 
exceed  the  value  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

Sec.  3.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  annual  meeting  of  the  United 
States  Agricultural  Society'  shall  be  held  in  the  city  of  Washington,  on  the  second 
Wednesday  of  January  in  each  and  every  year,  at  which  meeting  there  shall  be 
elected,  in  such  manner  as  the  constitution  or  by-laws  of  the  society  may  provide, 
a  president;  such  a  number  of  vice-presidents  as  may  be  fixed  upon  by  the  con- 
stitution or  by-laws;  an  executive  committee,  to  consist  of  seven  members,  in  ad- 
dition to  wliom  the  president  and  secretary  shall  be  cv  officio  members,  and  of 
which  the  president  sliall  be  chairman;  a  treasurer  and  secretary — all  of  whom 
shall  hold  their  offices  for  one  year,  and  until  their  successors  are  elected.  The 
dutjf  of  the  president  shall  be  to  pr'^side  over  the  deliberations  of  the  society,  and 
to  have  a  general  supervisi(m  of  its  aftairs.  The  duty  of  the  treasurer  shall  be  to 
receive  and  keej)  safely  all  the  moneys  of  the  society,  and  to  disburse  the  same 
under  the  direction  and  supervision  of  the  executive  committee;  he  shall  give 
bonds  for  the  faithful  perfornumce  of  his  duties,  in  such  penalty  as  may  be  fixed, 
and  such  surety  as  may  be  approved  by  the  i)resident.  The  duty  of  the  secretary 
shall  be  to  keep  all  records  of  the  doings  of  the  society;  to  conduct  the  corre- 
spondence especially  appertaining  to  his  office;  to  keep  the  seal  and  make  certifi- 
cates under  the  same;  to  issue  medals,  certificates,  and  diplomas;  and  to  super- 
intend all  i)ublications  emanating  from  the  society.  All  these  officers,  and  tlie 
executive  committee,  shall  perform  such  duties  and  additional  duties  as  may  be 


prescribed  hy  the  constitution  or  by-laws  of  the  society,  not  inconsistent  with  the 
provisions  of  this  act.  And  if  said  election  shall  not  be  made  at  the  time  pre- 
scribed herein,  it  may  be  held  at  some  subsequent  time  within  the  year. 

Sec.  4.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  tlie  said  society  shall  have  full  power 
and  authority  to  make,  have,  and  use  a  common  seal,  and  the  same  to  break, 
alter,  and  renew  at  pleasure;  to  make,  ordain,  establish,  and  execute  such  consti- 
tution and  by-laws  as  they  may  think  proper,  and  the  same  to  alter,  amend,  or 
abrogate  at  pleasure:  to  fix  the  salaries  or  pay  of  their  officers,  and  to  fix  the  sum 
that  shall  ])e  paid  for  life  or  annual  membership. 

Sec.  5.  And  he  it  further  enacted,  That  any  i)erson  may  become  a  life  or  an- 
nual member  of  said  society  by  paying  into  the  hands  of  tlie  treasurer  such  sum 
as  may  be  prescribed  in  the  constitution  or  by-laws  as  the  fee  for  life  or  annual 
membership.  Honorary  members  may  be  elected  at  the  will  of  the  society.  It 
shall  require  the  presence  of  at  least  fifteen  members  of  the  society  to  constitute 
a  quorum  for  the  ti'ansaction  of  business,  but  a  less  number  maj^  adjourn  from 
time  to  time. 

Sec.  6.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  secretary  of  said  corporation  shall 
keep  his  business  office  in  the  city  of  Washington,  and  he  sliall  make  up  a  com- 
plete record  of  all  the  doings  of  the  society  annually. 

Sec.  7.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  constitution,  bydaws,  and  regula- 
tions of  said  society  as. they  stand  at  the  time  of  the  passage  of  this  act,  shall  be 
and  remain  in  fin-ce  until  altered  or  al)rogated  at  a  regular  annual  meeting  of  the 
corporation;  and  the  officers  who  were  elected  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  soci- 
ety in  January  preceding  the  passage  of  this  act,  shall  remain  in  their  several 
offices,  and  exercise  their  several  duties,  until  the  annual  meeting  in  the  January 
succeeding  the  passage  of  this  act,  and  until  their  successors  are  elected. 

Sec.  8.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  Congress  may  at  any  time  alter, 
amend,  or  annul  this  act. 

Approved,  April  19,  1860, 


nONOEARY  MEMBERS 

OF  THE 

UNITED    STATES    AGRICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 


[Those  marked  with  an  asterisk  are  deceased.] 

*Samuel  An^LETOiN Boston,  Massachusetts. 

William  W.  Cokcoran Washington,  Di.st.  of  CoL 

*MiLLARD  Fillmore Buffalo,  New  York. 

*Abraham  Lincoln Springfield,  Illinois. 

*Thomas  H.  Perkins  Boston,  Massachusetts. 

^Jonathan  Phillips. Boston,  Massachusetts. 

*Franklin  Pierce Concord,  New  Hampshire. 

JosiAH  QuiNCY Boston,  Massachusetts. 

*Edmund  Ruppin Malbourne,  Virginia. 

*RoBERT  G.  Shaw Boston,  Massachusetts. 

Marshall  P.  AVilder Boston,  Massachusetts. 


LIFE  MEMBEES 

OF    THE 

UNITED    STATES    AGRICULTURAL    SOCIETY 


[Some  of  the  following  list  are  dead,  and  in  the  next  edition  their  names,  so 
ftir  as  ascertained,  will  be  marked  with  an  asterisk.] 


Abbe,  R.  M..  Tlioinpsonville,  Conn. 
Adams,  Daniel,  Nt;wburyport,  Mass. 
Adams,  Jonathan  S.,  Bordenstown,  N.  J. 
Adams,  William,  Boston,  Mass. 
Affleck,  Thomas,  Brenhaui,  Texas. 
Alston,  Benjamin,  G-eorgetown,  S.  C. 
Armory,  Thomas.  Boston,  Mass. 
Amy,  W.  F.  M.,  Hyatt,  K.ansas. 
Aycrigg',  Thomas  G.,  Passaic,  N.  J. 
Bailey,  Dndley  H.,  Boston,  Mass. 
Bailey,  Eben  Carter,  West  Newbury,  MasSv 
Bailey,  Lewis,  Fairfax  Co.,  Va. 
Baker.  Abijah  R.,  West  Needham,  Mass-. 
Baker,  S.  C.,  Blair  Co.,  Penn. 
Balch,  Wesley  P.,  Jr.,  Boston,  Mass. 
Baldwin,  Harvey,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
Ballance.  Charles,  Peoria,  111. 
Ballon,  Maturin  M.,  Bo.-^ton,  MasSi 
Bancroft,  .Tames.  Charleston.  S.  C 
Barrett,  J.  W.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Barrows,  Henry  D.,  Los  Angelos,  Cal. 
Becker,  Barney  S..  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
Beekman,  J.  S.,  Kinderhook,  N.  Y. 
Benson.  Samuel  P..  Winthrop,  Maine. 
Berekman,  Emile  C.  Plainfield,  N.  J. 
Berckman,  Louis  E..  Plainfield,  N.  J. 

Bovckman,  Prosper  .T.,  Plainfield,  N.  J. 

Billinsi's.  Hammet,  Boston,  Mass. 

Billini>-s,  H.  M..  Hisi-hland.  Wis. 

Billing-s.  .Toscph  H.,  West  Roxbury,  Mass. 

Blake,  Geora-e  B..  Boston,  Mass. 

Blake,  .Tohn'R.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Bolmas.  A.  J..  Westchester,  Penn. 

Bowie.  W.  W.  W.,  Governor's  Bridge,  Md. 

Bradford,  A.  C,  Stockton,  Cal. 

Bradford,  S.  S.,  Culpepper  C,  H.,  Va. 

Brand,  A.  H.,  Lexington.  Ky. 

Brewer.  Francis,  Sprin;i;fie!'i,  Mass. 

Bridiz'es,  B.  R..  Edsiecomb,  N.  C. 

Brooks.  DeLorma.  Beloit,  Wis, 

Brooks,  John,  Princeton.  Mass. 

Brown,  I).  .Jay,  Vv^ashington,  D.  C. 

Brown,  James  N.,  Springfield,  111. 

Brown,  Lewis  B.,  New  York  City. 

Brown,  Simon,  Concord,  Mass. 

Brown,  William  Young.  Omaha  City,  Neb; 

Buckelen.  .Tames,  Jamesburg,  N.  J. 

Buckey,  ,Tacob  M.,  Fi'cderick,  Md. 

Buckley.  J.  L.,  .Tr.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Bull,  E,  W.,  Concord,  Mass. 

Bunckle,  W.  D.,  Philadelphia,  Penn. 

Burgess,  Edward  P.,  Dedham,  Mass. 

Burgin,  Geo.  S.,  Philadelphia,  Penn. 

Burgroyu,  H.  R..  Oarysbiirg,  N.  C. 

Burnett,  .T.  B..  Syracuse.  N.  Y. 

Butman,  George  F.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Byington,  A.  Homer,  Norwalk,  Conn. 

Bvington,  Le  Grand,  Iowa  City.  Iowa. 

Calvert,  Charles  B.   Washington,  I).  C. 

(^mnon.  John  M.,  Baven]iort,  Iowa, 

<C'arev,  F.  (>..  College  Hill,  Ohio. 

Case,  Eliphalct.  Patriot.  Ind. 

Cantluir,  Bcnj.  F..  Louisville,  Ky. 

ChafTee.  t/alvin,  Springfield,  Mass. 


Chamberlain,  Daniel,  Boston,  Mass. 

Champion,  Thomas  Washington,  D.  C, 

Chapman,  Alfred,  Staunton,  Va. 

Chase,  Albion,  Athens,  Ga. 

Clapp,  Henry  W.,  Gi-reenfield,  Mass. 

Clement,  Aaron,  Philadelphia,  Penn. 

Coleman,  Thomas  M..  Philadelphia,  Penn. 

Colvin,  B.,  F.,  Syracuse.  N.  Y. 

Comins,  Linus  B.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Conger,  A.  B.,  Rockland  Co.,  N,  Y. 

Conklin,  E,  K.,  Philadelphia,  Penn. 

Connolly,  Thomas  C,  Washington,  D,  C. 

Converse,  James  C,  Boston,  Mass. 

Cook,  A.  P.,  Brookline,  Mich. 

Cook,  G-eorge  Lewis,  Warren,  R,  I. 

Cook,  John  L.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Cooke,  Joseph  L.,  Providence,  R.  I. 

Cooper,  S.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Copeland,  R.  Morris.  Boston,  Mass. 

Cojjenhagen,  Arnold  W.,  Dorchester,  Mass, 

Corcoran,  W.  W..  Washington,  D.  C. 

Cornell,  E.,  Ithica,  N.  Y. 

Cornell,  Isaac  R..  Weston,  N.  J. 

Cowing,  Henry,  Corpus  Christi.  Texas. 

Co.xe.  Richard  S.,  Washington,  D.  C, 

Crippen,  J.  B.,  Cold  Water.  Mich. 

Crockett,  Selden,  Boston,  Mass. 

Cunningham,  C.  Loring.  Boston,  Mass. 

Curtis,  Thomas  B.,  Boston.  Mass. 

Curtlss,  D.  S.,  Madison,  Wis. 

Cushmau,  Henry  W,,  Bernardstown,  MasSi 

Custis,  Geo.  W.P.,  Arlinii,-ton,  Va. 

Dana,  J.  B.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Darlington,  J.  L..  West  Chester,  Penn. 

David,  Isaac,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Davis,  James,  Boston,  Mass. 

Davy,  James.  Niagara  Falls,  N.  Y. 

Delano.  Charles,  Northamijton,  Mass; 

DeMott,  M.,  New  York  City. 

Denny,  Reviben  S.,  Leicester,  Mass. 

Dick,  Robert,  Q-anestown,  Md. 

Dodge,  Allen,  Georgetown,  I).  C. 

Dodge.  B.,  Warsaw"  Ind. 

Dodge,  Harvev,  Sutton,  Mass. 

Dodge,  J.  H.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Doughty,  William.  Berrien  Si)i-ings,  Mich. 

Durfee. 'Nathan,  Fall  River.  Mass. 

Dyer,  Elisha,  Providence,  R.  I. 

Dver,  Henry  A.,  Brooklvn.  Conn. 

Eastman,  Arthur  M..  Manchester,  N.  H. 

Ediierton,  E.  W..  Milwaukie   Wis. 

Ellis,  James  M.,  Svracuse,  N.  Y. 

Ellison,  Thomas..  Newburgh,  N.  Y. 

Emerson,  Ralph,  Jr.,  Rocklbrd,  111. 

rivuns.  David. 

Faile,  Edward  Q.,  W.  Farms,  Woodside,  Nv  Y. 

Fletcher.  Gardner.  Chelmslbrd,  Mass. 

Flint.  Charles  L.,  Boston.  Mass. 

Foot,  Solomon,  Rutland,  \t. 

Forbes,  R.  B.,  Boston,  lAIass. 

Fowler,  W.  C,  Amherst,  IMass. 

Francis,  John  Brown,  Provid^ncCj  R.  I. 

Frazee,  .T.  H..  New  Brunswick,  IN.  J. 

Frisbee,  Russell.  Maryland,  D.  C. 


/ 


French.  B.  B.,  Washint-ton,  D.  C 
Freneh;  Benjamin  V.,  Hraiutvee,  Maw. 
French,  Hciiry  T.,  Exeter.  N.  H. 
French,  Jonathan,  Roxbiiry,  Mass 
French    William  i\I.,  Washinirton,  U.  «... 
Fuller. 'a.  a.,  Sioux  City,  Uakotah. 
aat>-e   Adison,  West  Cambridge,  Mass. 
Gauo,  Alva,  Charleston.  S.  C 
Garber,  Jacob  B.,  Columbia,  Penn. 
G-arcelon,  A.,  Boston.  Blass. 
Garrison.  Ira,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
Gay,  Mr.,  Svra.ense,  N.  Y. 
Gibson,  John,  Kinsessing-,  Penn. 
Giessenliainer,  T.  W.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 
Gill   William,  Columbus,  Ohio, 
(filuian,  Hon.  Charles  J.,  Brunswick,  Maine. 
Gilnioiv,  Robert  A.,  Chicago,  111. 
Glover,  Townsend,  Washington,  D.  O. 
Gould.  J.  Stanton,  Hudson,  N.  Y. 
Gould,  James,  Lexington,  Mass. 
Greeley.  Horace,  New  York,  N.  Y. 
Greenway.  George,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
Greenway,  John,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.. 
Grondvke.  A.  T.,  Washington,  Ind. 
Hale,  Joseph,  Boston,  Mass. 
Hallis.  John  W.,  Brighton,  Mass 
Hammond,  Hon.  J.  H.,  Beach  Island,  S.  C. 
Hanchett,  W.  T.,  Natick,  Mass. 
Hardcastle.  E.  L,.  F.,  Easton.  Md. 
Harris.  W.  A.,  Boston  Mass. 
Harris,  W.  H.,  Nashville,  Tenn. 
Harrison,  Charles  W.,  Andalusia,  Penn. 
Harrison,  N .  H .  JMacon.  Miss . 
Harword,  Peter,  Barre,  Mass. 
Hartshorne,  George,  Rah  way,  N.J. 
Haskins,  J.  P.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y'. 
Hastings,  G.  D  ,  Tolland,  Conn. 
Hatch,  A.  P.,  Newbern,  Ala. 
Haven,  Franklin.  Boston,  Mass. 
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Healy,  Waldo,  Dudley,  Mass. 
Herling,  W.  H.,  Sylvania,  Ohio. 
Hening,  B.  S.,  Oshkosh,  Wis. 
Hickok,  W.  O. 

Higgings,  James,  Baltimore,  Md. 
Hobbs,  Ebenezer,  Waltham,  Mass. 
Hobbs,  Edward  I).,  Louisville,  Ky. 
Hodges,  George  T..  Rutland.  Vt. 
Hodges,  Samuel  W.,  Stoughton,  Mass. 
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Hunnewell,  H.  H.,  Boston,  Mass. 
Hunt,  Freeman,  New  York,  N.  Y. 
Hunt,  Wm.  M..  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
Huntington,  Ben]amin  N.,-Rome,  N.  Y. 
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Lyon,  Henry,  Charlestown,  Mass. 
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Mallorv,  Robert,  Louisvile,  Ivy. 
Mamice,  DeForest,  Brushville,  N.  Y. 
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McCarthy,  D.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

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Miles,  J.  Y.,  Hazlewood,  S.  C. 
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Motley,  Thomas,  Jr.,  West  Roxbury,  Mass. 
Mowry,  Sylvester,  Tucson,  Arizona. 
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Newhall,  Josiah,  Lynnfleld,  Mass. 
Newhall,  Moses,  Springfield,  Mass. 
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Nottingham,  G.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
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ADDRESS 
TO  THE  LIFE  MEMBERS  OF  THE 

Ui\ITED  STATES  AGRKJULTURAL  SOCIETY. 


The  United  States  Agricultural  Society  was  organized  in  1852,  by  a  National 
Agricultural  Convention,  which  had  met  on  the  14th  of  June,  1851,  at  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution,  in  Washington  City,  under  a  call  issued  by  the  Massachusetts 
State  Board  of  Agriculture  ;  Pennsylvania  State  Agricultural  Society  ;  Maryland 
State  Agricultural  Society  ;  New  York  State  Agricultural  Society  ;  Southern 
Central  Agricultural  Society  ;  Ohio  State  Board  of  Agriculture  ;  American  Insti- 
tute, New  York  ;  Massachusetts  Society  for  the  promotion  of  Agriculture  ;  Indi- 
ana State  Board  of  Agriculture  ;  New  Hampshire  Agricultural  Society  ;  Vermont 
Agricultural  Society ;  and  the  Rhode  Island  Societj'  for  the  encouragement  of 
American  Industry. 

The  convention  was  composed  of  153  delegates,  representing  23  States  and 
Territories.  Among  those  who  were  present  during  its  sessions,  were  the  Hon. 
Millard  Fillmore,  President  of  the  United  States,  and  the  Hon.  Daniel  Webster, 
Secretary  of  State.     ' 

The  following  gentlemen  composed  the  committee  who  drafted  the  constitution 
of  the  United  States  Agricultural  Society  :  Messrs.  Holcomb,  of  Delaware  ; 
Douglas,  of  Illinois  ;  J.  A.  King,  of  New  York  ;  Steele,  of  New  Hampshire  ; 
Thurston,  of  Rhode  Island  ;  Hubbard,  of  Connecticut  ;  Stevens,  of  Vermont  ; 
Elwyn,  of  Pennsylvania  ;  Calvert,  of  Maryland  ;  Campbell,  of  Ohio  ;  Hancock, 
of  New  Jersey  ;  Callanof  the  District  of  Columbia  ;  Gr.  W.  P.  Custis,  of  Virginia; 
Burgwyn,  of  North  Carolina  ;  Taylor,  of  Alabama;  De  Bow,  of  Louisiana  ;  Spen- 
cer, of  Indiana;  Mallory,  of  Kentucky;  Bell,  of  Tennessee;  Weston,  of  Wiscon- 
sin; McLane,  of  California  ;  Pickhard,  of  Maine;  Dawson,  of  Georgia;  French, 
of  Massachusetts  ;  and  Seaman  of,  Michigan. 

ANNUAL    MEETINGS. 

The  Society  having  been  organized,  held  its  first  annual  meeting  at  Washing- 
ton, in  February,  1853,  since  when  they  have  been  regularly  continued.  Up  to 
1862,  when  the  war  between  the  States  forced  the  Society  to  suspend  active  op- 
erations, these  annual  meetings  constituted,  in  reality,  the  central  "Board  of  Ag- 
riculture,"  recommended  by  the  Farmer  ot  Mount  Vernon.  Gentlemen  from 
almost  every  State  in  the  Union,  (many  of  them  delegates  from  Agricultural  As- 
sociations,) annually  assembled  to  discuss  such  topics  as  were  presented,  calcu- 
lated to  advance  the  cause  of  agricultural  improvement ;  interesting  and  valuable 
lectures  were  delivered  by  practical  and  scientific  farmers;  reports  were  submit- 


10 

ted  by  committees  specially  appointed  to  examine  new  inventions  and  theories, 
and  by  delegates  who  were  accredited  to  the  agriculturists  of  other  lands  ;  and 
there  was  a  general  interchange  of  opinion. 

NATIONAL   EXHIBITIONS 

The  Society  held  its  first  annual  exhibition  at  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  on 
the  17th  of  October,  1853,  and  its  subsequent  exhibitions  at  Springfield,  Ohio  ; 
Boston,  Mass.  ;  Philadelphia,  Pa,  ;  Louisville,  Ky. ;  Richmond,  Va. ;  Chicago, 
111.;  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  besides  a  National  Trial  of  Reapers  and  Mowers  at 
Syracuse,  New  York.  Generally  self-sustaining;  the  receipts  on  these  occasions 
enabled  the  Society  to  disburse  upwards  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars for  premiums  and  expenses;  and  they  not  only  increased  the  efficiency  of 
State  and  Local  Associations,  but  called  together  larger  assemblages  of  people 
than  have  ever  been  convened  upon  other  occasions;  embracing  not  only  our 
most  intelligent  yeomanry,  biit  gentlemen  of  every  art  and  profession  from  every 
portion  of  the  wide-spread  Union,  evincing  that  the  national  pulse  beat  in  unison 
with  our  own,  and  that  the  public  voice  was  responsive  to  the  call. 

PUBLICATIONS   AND   OFFICE. 

When  the  operations  of  the  Society  were  suspended  it  published  a  Quarterly 
Journal  of  Agriculture,  and  it  had  at  Washington  a  Secretary's  office  and  reading- 
room,  where  the  members  of  the  Society  and  others  interested  in  agricultural  im- 
provement could  meet  as  brothers  at  a  common  home,  and  find  a  collection  of 
objects  in  which  they  have  a  common  interest.  Many  State  and  County  socie- 
ties contributed  their  published  transactions,  premium -lists,  the  names  of  their  of- 
ficers, and  other  information,  which  were  registered,  and  they  received  the  publica- 
tions of  the  Society  in  return.  A  majority  of  the  agricultural  and  numerous 
other  publishers  contributed  their  periodicals  and  newspapers,  and  thus  aided  in 
forming  a. Free  Agricultural  Library  at  the  National  Metropolis. 

FINANCIAL    CONDITION. 

The  preparations  made  by  the  Society  for  an  exhibition  at  Washington  in 
1861,  which  could  not  beheld,  exhausted  the  small  balance  in  the  Society's  treas- 
ury at  that  time.  The  Society  has  not,  however,  a  dollar  of  indebtedness.  Up- 
wards of  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  was  received  and  disbursed  by  it 
between  1852  and  1862,  and  of  this  the  highest  sum  ever  received  by  anj"^  one  of  its 
officers  in  a  year  was  six  hundred  dollars,  which  barely  defrayed  his  personal  ex- 
penses while  attending  to  the  business  of  the  Society. 

PROPOSITIONS  TO  BE  CONSIDERED. 

With  this  brief  review  of  what  the  United  States  Agricultural  Society  has  ac- 
complished, its  officers  respectfully  ask  its  life  members  to  consider  the  following 
propositions,  and  to  attend  the  next  annual  meeting  prepared  to  vote  upon  them, 
or  any  similar  questions  that  may  be  submitted  : 

I.  Shall  the  active  operations  of  the  Uniled  States  Agricultural  Society  be  re- 
sumed ;  and  shall  steps  be  taken  to  make  it,   with  the  co-operation  of  State  and 


11 

Local  organizations,  worthy  of  the  great  iiiturost  ui)on  whicii    the  {jrosperity  and 
happiness  of  our  country  is  dependent? 

TI.  Shall  the  officers  of  the  United  States  Agricultural  Society  confer  with  the 
officers  of  the  recently  founded  American  Agricultural  Association,  with  a  view  to 
the  consolidation  of  the  two  organizations? 

Til.  Shall  the  officers  of  the  United  States  Agricultural  Society  surrender  its 
charter  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  which  granted  it  in  1860 — deposit 
its  archives  in  the  Library  of  Congress — and  declare  the  Society  dissolved? 

Trusting  that  you  will  give  these  propositions  an  earnest  consideration,  and 
bring  them  to  the  attention  of  all  interested  parties,  so  that  at  the  annual  meet- 
ing, in  January  next,  there  may  be  an  unmistakable  declaration  of  opinion, 
We  remain  yours,  veiy  faithfully, 

JOHN  MERRYMAN,  President, 

Fred.  Smyth,  A.  S.  Townshend,  Robert  Beverly,  William  S. 
King,  N.  M.  Curtis,  A.  L.  Kennedy,  A.  M.  Fulford, 

Executive   Committee. 

Ben:  Perley  Poore,  Secretartj. 


^ 


